Häberlin again improves her best-ever World Cup result: eighth place in Monte-Saint-Anne
On a course that suited Team BMC’s Steffi Häberlin well, the Swiss cyclist improved on her career-best result from last week in Lake Placid. In the USA, Häberlin finished tenth, while in Canada’s Mont-Sainte-Anne, she crossed the line in eighth.
With a sprint to the line, she moved up one final place in the last few meters of the race. A strong start positioned her well in the bunch right from the gun, and a steady middle section helped consolidate her top-10 position.
After the race, Häberlin mentioned that she really wanted to finish on a high and that 'it is fantastic that it worked out.' The Team BMC rider: "I overtook one rider after the other, all the way up to the line. That was a great feeling. I am looking forward to enjoying a nice evening together with all the riders and staff."
The men's elite race was exciting from start to finish. Jordan Sarrou got off to a good start and nestled himself in the first chasing group, behind three lone leaders, one of whom dropped back into the French national champion’s group midway through the race.
Meanwhile, Juri Zanotti and Titouan Carod were unfortunate enough to get completely stuck in the opening lap when a competitor clipped out, forcing everyone else to walk as well. They finished 17th and 61st, respectively.
Sarrou had his eyes on the prize: a podium finish in the final World Cup of the season. However, in the final lap, the majority of the competition in the chasing group proved to be too strong, resulting in a respectable sixth place at the line.
Bike Team Solothurn claims bronze
This left Team BMC to round off the 2024 season on a positive note. Häberlin showed incredible progression on the BMC Fourstroke 01 this season and proved once again that she is getting closer to the best XC riders in the scene.
Excellent news also came from Bike Team Solothurn, BMC second team racing in the MTB World Series. In the U23 category for women, the 19-year-old Fiona Schibler finished third, which was definitely the highest of the team's 2024 season.
